Biography

HIGH SCHOOL: Aikoudai Meiden (Aichi Prefecture, Japan)

Personal:
Played nine years with the Orix Blue Wave in Japan's Pacific League...led the Pacific League in batting average for a Japanese-record seven consecutive seasons...was a three-time league MVP and was named to the Pacific League's "Best Nine" for seven consecutive years...won seven consecutive Gold Gloves for his solid defense and strong arm in right field...

WHICH PITCHER ARE YOU MOST ANXIOUS TO FACE? "I'm anxious to face them all, but in reality I'm looking forward most to (Boston's) Pedro Martinez. He was with the major league team that came to Japan in 1996, just before he became a superstar. I'm anxious to see how much he's improved. And I'm anxious to see how much I've improved against him."

WHICH BIG-LEAGUE PARK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN SEEING? "The parks with the most history have the most interest for me. I'd like to see Yankee Stadium, of course, and in Boston, Fenway Park."

GOLF OR BASEBALL? "I love baseball, but being here, I've been able to play golf every day. I can't play in Japan because every course has caddies, and the caddies all want autographs and don't want to let me golf."

Source: Official Seattle Mariners website, ESPN.com